Guy WILLIS, a long time Cornwall Lawyer has passed away at 74. Guy was Involved in many local projects through Kiwanis and served on the local Chamber of Commerce board.
Guy, husband of Kathleen (Kathy) Willis. Devoted and loving father of Daniel (Kathy), Andrew (Jenny), Mark (Tara) and Stephen (Kristy) Willis. Chosen fifth son Sean. Special grandpa of Gabriel and Aidan, Morgan, Christian and Grace, Emilie, Katherine and Jacob. Step-grandpa of Sean, Ryan and Liam Bekkers. He was the son of the late Mr. Justice R. Stewart Willis and the late Margaret Elaine Prince. Loving brother of the late Robert Willis (Jude), John Willis (Sylvie) and Robin. Guy completed his undergraduate studies at the University of New Brunswick where he met Kathy. They married before he went on to continue his studies at the University of Western Ontario where he obtained a Law degree in 1976. Guy and Kathy settled in Cornwall in 1978 with their son Daniel. They had three more sons as he started his thirty-four-year Law career. A firm believer in giving back to the community, he joined the Cornwall Kiwanis where he served in numerous capacities, including two terms as President. He served on various boards including the SDG Law Association, Mount Carmel House and the Chamber of Commerce. Guy was also a member of the SDG Landlord Association where he contributed in various capacities. He was a regular blood donor. Family was his first devotion. When his sons were young, he took the family on yearly wilderness canoe camping trips. May 24 and Labor Day were an opportunity for one of the boys to make a canoe trip with dad where special bonds and memories were forged. Guy would paddle the Raisin River Canoe Race every year with Kathy or one of the boys. They always placed and rarely came out wet at the other end! He built his own cedar strip canoe and was working on a two masted sail boat until a few weeks before his death.
Guy and Kathy joined the Cornwall Curling Club when the new club house was built. He loved the sport and the camaraderie. When Covid-19 restrictions closed the club, he purchased outdoor stones to play on Muskrat Lake at the family cottage. A lover of music, he spent countless hours in his workshop listening to the radio and working on various projects.
After retiring, he returned to his piano, practicing diligently most days. After his first leukemia diagnosis, he and Kathy made two major canoe trips. The first from Lake Superior to James Bay and later the Nahanni River in NWT. Guy loved his family, the outdoors and his community. He will be missed by many. Cowabunga grandpa! Visitation will take place on Friday, January 20, 2023 at Wilson Funeral Home, 822 Pitt Street, Cornwall, ON (613-938-3888) from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. A Memorial mass will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at St. Francis de Sales Church at 11 a.m.
